Mike Tomlin gave Alejandro Villanueva his blessing for using alternate helmet honoree

Chris Adamski
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020 1:57 p.m. | Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020 1:57 p.m.

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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva (78) leaps in celebration along with Diontae Johnson (18) after JuJu Smith-Schuster scored a touchdown during Monday’s win at the New York Giants. On the back of Villanueva’s helmet during the game was the name of Army hero Alwyn Cashe. The rest of the Steelers had the name of police-shooting victim Antwon Rose Jr.

Saying that Alejandro Villanueva did discuss it with him beforehand, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin gave his blessing to Villanueva for putting a different name on the back of his helmet than the rest of his teammates.

The Steelers’ starting left tackle, Villanueva put the name Alwyn Cashe on the back of his helmet for Monday’s season opener. Cashe is a former Army sergeant first class who died at 35 while on active duty in Iraq in 2005. An improvised explosive devise detonated near his vehicle.

Cashe was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for valor in combat after he suffered second- and third-degree burns over more than 70% of his body when he ran back into the vehicle in attempt to rescue other soldiers who were trapped inside. A campaign is underway to award the Medal of Honor to Cashe.

Villanueva is an Army Ranger veteran who was awarded the Bronze Star for valor in service in Afghanistan.

Steelers LT Alejandro Villanueva has the name Alwyn Cashe on the back of his helmet

Cashe was posthumousky awarded the Silver Star for heroism after his death at 35 while on duty in Iraqhttps://t.co/a4Pbp3UERU had said ALL players' helmets would have Antwon Rose Jr's name pic.twitter.com/UMqbxVo6mj

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 14, 2020

The rest of the Steelers’ helmets were adorned with the name of Antwon Rose Jr., who was 17 when he died after being shot by an East Pittsburgh police officer in June 2018.

“Yes, he did discuss that with me, and it’s in line with everything we’ve said about participating in social justice this offseason,” Tomlin said. “As an organization, and myself as head coach of the organization, we’re going to support our players in however they choose to participate and express themselves — or to not participate or not express themselves. As long as they do thoughtfully and with class.

“That’s been a blanket approach that we’ve had, and so I think it needs to further explanation as far as our support for Al Villanueva or anyone else in terms of what they do or doesn’t do in regards to social justice, as long as they adhere to that outline.”

The Steelers official website released a story Monday morning announcing the remembrance of Rose on their helmets. It indicated that the entire team would be wearing the same helmets, congruent with a policy of unity that Tomlin has emphasized his team will adhere to in regards to any protests or demonstrations.

The Steelers.com story even quoted Rose’s mother, Michelle Kenney, as saying she was brought to joyous tears when Tomlin called her to tell her of her son’s name going on the helmets.

“And not only is one person on the team going to wear his name on their helmet,” Kenney told Steelers.com. “They took a vote, and the entire team is going to wear his name on their helmets.”

The back of the helmets the Steelers wear throughout the 2020 season will bear the name of Antwon Rose Jr. Via @C_AdamskiTrib https://t.co/aZa8MmgtWv

— TribLIVE.com (@TribLIVE) September 14, 2020

The officer who shot Rose, Michael Rosfeld, stopped a Chevy Cruze matching the description of a vehicle reportedly involved in a drive-by shooting. Rose was shot in the back as he and another teen fled. A jury acquitted Rosfeld the following spring after a four-day trial.

In response to nationwide protests and unrest after multiple incidents this summer involving African Americans suffering harm or death after interactions with police, the NFL announced it is allowing individual players unprecedented latitude to make statements with their uniforms. Names on helmets is part of that initiative.

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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.